Willing

"Arm yourself with this same mind"
A Soldier? Am I prepare to be opposed not applauded, to be rejected not embraced . . . ?

ONE MAN PRAYED :
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.

Am I prepared for the
"wearying of the will"?

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: - Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. - 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭13, 16‬

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. - 1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬

Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. - Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭11-12‬

ISAAC WATTS WROTE:
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His Name?

Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.

Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith's discerning eye.

When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. - ‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭3-4, 12-13‬

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. - Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭2, 9‬

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Jenner

OPINIONS, BELIEFS & FACTS

An ESPY Award (short for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award) is an accolade presented by the American cable television network ESPN to recognize individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performance during the calendar year . . . WIKI

Opinions are reasoned conclusions (usually) logically drawn from facts or a combination of facts and beliefs.

So, it is what I BELIEVE about a hero that will lead me to examine the "evidence" and come to a (reasonable) conclusion IMHO. (OPINION)

A fact about a person is a logical conclusion drawn from supporting evidence - "he was guilty of theft".

A belief is an assumption
which when tested and proven
may or may not become a fact.
- Astronomers once believed
the earth was flat.

We all have beliefs about circumstances and
about people.

A statement of fact is true or false.

A belief is accepted or rejected.

Some people BELIEVE that based on the "achievement" in this case the award is not justified. That is their OPINION.

FACT: "From their inception to 2004, ESPY Award winners were chosen only through voting by fans. Since 2004, sportswriters, broadcasters, sports executives, and sportspersons, collectively experts; or ESPN personalities also vote. Award winners have been selected thereafter exclusively through online fan balloting conducted from amongst candidates selected by the ESPY Select Nominating Committee."

An opinion may or may not be factual. 'Expert' opinions are usually based on some study.

A belief may be
unproven or just unprovable.

Since beliefs can determine behavior, we should try to understand to what extent our conclusions are based on faith and fact. Many battles have been fought over fiction, fantasies and falsehoods !

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belief

ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD . . .
Unbelief believes something different
Disbelief refuses to believe
Make believe believes lies

. . . they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. - Genesis‬ ‭14‬:‭12, 14, 16, 18-20‬

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
- Genesis‬ ‭15‬:‭1, 6‬

A belief is an assumption
Which when tested and proven
May become a fact.
Astronomers once believed
the earth was flat.

We all have beliefs about circumstances and
about people.

A belief may be unprovable.

Beliefs may be passed
from person to person
by suggestion.

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
- Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭3, 16‬

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
- Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. - Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭8-10‬

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
- ‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭22-24‬

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perspective

ISRAEL’S RESTORATION - Isaiah 49 GOD'S WORD® Translation

1 Listen to me, you islands. Pay attention, you people far away. Before I was born, the LORD chose me. While I was in my mother's womb, he recorded my name.

2He made my tongue like a sharp sword and hid me in the palm of his hand. He made me like a sharpened arrow and hid me in his quiver.

3He said to me, "You are my servant Israel. I will display my glory through you."

4But I said, "I have worked hard for nothing. I have used my strength, but I didn't accomplish anything. Yet, certainly my case is in the LORD's hands, and my reward is with my God."

HIS PURPOSE: 5The LORD formed me in the womb to be his servant in order to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to him. (The LORD honors me, and my God has become my strength

6Now, the Lord says, "You are not just my servant who restores the tribes of Jacob and brings back those in Israel whom I have preserved. I have also made you a light for the nations so that you would save people all over the world." -----THE LORD TALKS

7The LORD is the defender of Israel, its Holy One. This is what the LORD says to the despised one, to the one scorned by the nation, to the slave of rulers:

HIS PROMISE: Kings will see [you] and stand. Princes will see [you] and bow. The LORD is faithful. The Holy One of Israel has chosen you.

8This is what the LORD says: In the time of favor I will answer you. In the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you. I will appoint you as my promise to the people. You will restore the land. You will make them inherit the desolate inheritance.

9You will say to the prisoners, "Come out," and to those who are in darkness, "Show yourselves." They will graze along every path, and they will find pastures on every bare hill.

10They will never be hungry or thirsty, nor will the sun or the burning, hot wind strike them. The one who has compassion on them will lead them and guide them to springs.

11I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be restored.

12They will come from far away. They will come from the north and from the west, and they will come from the land of Sinim.

13Sing with joy, you heavens! Rejoice, you earth! Break into shouts of joy, you mountains! The LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his humble people. --------ISAIAH TALKS

14But Zion said, "The LORD has abandoned me. My Lord has forgotten me."------- ISARAEL TALKS

15Can a woman forget her nursing child? Will she have no compassion on the child from her womb? Although mothers may forget, I will not forget you.

16I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are always in my presence.

17Your children will hurry back. Those who destroyed you and laid waste to you will leave you.

18Look up, look around, and watch! All of your children are gathering together and returning to you. "I solemnly swear as I live," declares the LORD, "you will wear all of them like jewels and display them on yourself as a bride would."

19Though you are destroyed and demolished and your land is in ruins, you will be too crowded for [your] people now. Those who devoured you will be long gone.

20The children taken from you will say to you, "This place is too crowded for me. Make room for me to live here."

21Then you will ask yourself, "Who has fathered these [children] for me? I was childless and unable to have children. I was exiled and rejected. Who raised these [children for me]? I was left alone. Where have they come from?"

22This is what the Almighty LORD says: I will lift my hand [to signal] the nations. I will raise my flag for the people. They will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.

23Then kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens will nurse you. They will bow in front of you with their faces touching the ground. They will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Those who wait with hope for me will not be put to shame.

24Can loot be taken away from mighty men or prisoners be freed from conquerors?

25This is what the LORD says: Prisoners will be freed from mighty men. Loot will be taken away from tyrants. I will fight your enemies, and I will save your children.

26I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they will become drunk on their own blood as though it were new wine. Then all humanity will know that I am the LORD, who saves you, the Mighty One of Jacob, who reclaims you.

In any crisis it is important to keep these things in perspective.

Questions – things not understood

Concerns – things to forget

Commands – things to do

Declarations – things to remember

Acts of God – things to marvel at

Pride

IT ONLY TAKES ONE
prideful act to destroy you.
2 Chronicles 26
UZZIAH / ZACHARIAH
"Find someone who can
keep you grounded" (humble)

And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.

And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly. - 2 Chronicles‬ ‭26‬:‭4-5, 8‬

And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
- 2 Chronicles‬ ‭26‬:‭15‬

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. - Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬

But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him. - 2 Chronicles‬ ‭26‬:‭16, 20‬

Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. - Psalms‬ ‭131‬:‭1‬

lessons to those who have great spiritual ambitions; men who want to be great readers of Divine mysteries, of Providence, of the plans and purposes of God.

"those who say to the preacher, and the teacher, and the expositor — How so? Explain this; what about this mystery? What is the answer to this great question? The answer is — Wait: what thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter."
- J. Parker, D. D.

Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
- 2 Chronicles‬ ‭26‬:‭22‬

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. - Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭1, 5, 8‬

WHO OBEYS

DISCIPLE - banned from this planet

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. - John‬ ‭15‬:‭14‬

There is a lot to learn about mainstream evangelicalism from contemporary Christian music!

I remember hearing a song by a Christian band a year ago and the chorus of the song simply repeated over and over, "We are free to fail"
- Josh McClellan

Our problem here in the church in America is not that we aren't willing to acknowledge our failure.

In some ways, we have even exalted and glorified failure in this culture.

We speak of our sinful imperfections. We speak of our disappointments. We speak of not living up to the expectations that we should. We speak of failure. These ideas we are not afraid of. We admit them readily. We even find some degree of comfort in them.

Our problem is we are actually unwilling to call all of this "failure" what it truly is. The Bible presents us with a picture of two kinds of people. Obedient and disobedient. In reality, all of our imperfection is rebellious disobedience. This of course sounds far more offensive. It has no positive ring to it. Why do I have to go and make everything sound so negative? . . . the goal is actually to sound more biblical.

The reason we find disobedience so repulsive a thought is because of what it implies. Disobedience implies having been given commands. And we definitely don't like that in this culture. How dare anyone give commands or orders. We prefer a God who gives us some goals and some encouragement, but no commands.

Disobedience also implies accountability. We are responsible to someone for our actions. We definitely don't like that either in this culture. How dare anyone tell us what we should or shouldn't do.

Disobedience implies authority. It assumes that someone has the right and power to command us. At the risk of becoming monotonous, this idea simply won't do in our culture either. We exalt personal autonomy and freedom. Not submission or surrender. There are few things more revolting in this culture than the notion of authority, at least any external authority.

Finally, disobedience implies consequence. When we disobey, we receive a consequence, or punishment (or discipline for that matter). In a culture of victims, this simply isn't fair either. There is always someone else to blame for things. I shouldn't be held responsible, so I shouldn't have to face a consequence.

. . . few of us go through our days with even the slightest inclination that the way in which we are living out our lives is simply a question of whether we are living obediently or disobediently toward God and the commands He has given us to live by. We're certainly willing to admit to falling short and failing. Yet few of us wish to call it what it truly is: disobedience.

We would do well to maintain a biblical view of human sinfulness, even the sin that occurs after our conversion. And if we claim ignorance, when God's Word is readily available to us, we really only prove that our rebellion is of the lazy variety. Let us call our "failures" or "shortcomings" what they are. And let it challenge us to pursue obedience more passionately than we might otherwise.

TO THINK / TALK / WRITE LIKE THIS ONE MUST EXPECT TO BE ISOLATED, SHUNNED, SCORNED . . . banned from the planet !

http://bit.ly/1RoiLqu
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Wars

We feel the uneasiness as we listen to the evening news. Bad news from our communities; evil. "Everywhere is war" is not just a line in the lyrics of a Bob Marley song. The bible says there will be wars and rumors of wars.

If we switch from the local news to the international news, we still hear of wars. Proxy wars and cyber wars are recent additions to our history of world wars and civil wars. Then there is the ominous and ever looming threat of nuclear war.

We are told there are culture wars and wars on women, on poverty, on drugs and on and on and then there is the war within us.

The bible asks "from whence come wars and fighting among us?"

Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you? James 4:1

Our passion is our purpose
To know Christ and to
make Him known !

JESUS IS GOD
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. - ‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬

WORD !!

So . . . the wars we see around us all start in the minds and hearts of people who have not made peace with their creator . . . "But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us" - Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭13-14‬

Once we have His peace in us, we find ourselves at war ! Not cold warriors like the Reagans, Rumsfelds and Cheneys or just culture warriors like Bill O'reiley.

The bible says "you therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. . . endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. - 2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1, 3-4‬

So it is as though the Christian now at peace with God finds he/she is engaged in another war, with weapons: the bible says "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; - 2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭4-5‬

It is what people think and believe that drives their behavior. Our mission, motive and message as "soldiers of Christ" is to share and give what we have.

And he said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. - Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15-16‬

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War

COMFORT ZONE

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? - Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭46‬

IS THIS A REBUKE?

Why "endure" . . .
sound doctrine?

Rebuke and correction may
sometime cause 'discomfort'.

Exhortation and encouraging words - words to comfort

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. - 2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: - 2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬

Rebuke with all long-suffering

Why call ye me Lord

Rebuke not an elder

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. - 2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭3-4‬

If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them. - ‭1 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭25‬

For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. - 1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. - Genesis‬ ‭18‬:‭19‬

Memory Lane Clips

COUSIN ALOMA - REFLECTIONS




ELDER BLYTHE PRESIDES

She Did It

EXCLUSIVE

WHAT IS HE TALKING ABOUT?

◄ 1 Thessalonians 4:3 ►

"this is the will of God, 

even your sanctification"

William James Pearson (1832-92)

Wrote these verses:

1.

I'm set apart for Jesus,

To be a king and priest;

His life in me increases,

Upon his love I feast.

From evil separated,

Made holy by his blood,

My all is consecrated

Unto the living God.

2.

I'm set apart for Jesus,

His goodness I have seen,

He makes my heart his altar,

He keeps his temple clean.

Our union none can sever,

Together every hour,

His life is mine for ever

With resurrection power.

3.

I'm set apart for Jesus,

With him to ever stay,

My spirit he releases,

He drives my foes away.

He gives full strength for trial

And shields when darts are hurled;

With him and self-denial

I overcome the world.

* graphic from Weirsbe

http://bit.ly/1CdNIqy

MALLWALKER

A.N.A.

a new approach

My Mall Musing Today

As I came by JCPENNEY I saw this sign advertising "a new approach".

Attraction

Appetite

Addiction

The sign attracted my attention somehow and 'triggered' a curiosity that made me stop to "check it out".

Turns out it's a new (to me) clothing label for jeans etc. 

I made another stop this time at a kiosk advertising 3D INNOVATION.

I have a huge 'appetite' for anything electronic. This place was offering to take any photo and electronically create a glass crystal paper weight with the picture inside !!! How did I develop such an appetite for tech stuff? I watch a lot of tech news shows, read tons of tech magazines and talk to techies about tech stuff!

So; could an attraction turn into an appetite? I think I can see how.

I think I am still in control.

If I lose control it turns into an addiction. This is when I have to buy every tech magazine I come across. To the extent of messing up the family budget; neglecting household bills. Do you see how this works?

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. - James 1:14

Later this week I want to take a look at my DEFAULT SETTINGS

Options

Preferences

Settings

HEBREWS 12

REPENTANCE ??

THE PEACABLE FRUIT 

OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

. . . lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. - Hebrews 12:12,13

Hi my friend, thanks for listening. I share this passage I was reading about chastening & rebuke.

DO WE RECOGNIZE IT?

DO WE ACCEPT IT?

IS IT FRUITFUL?

Has any correction taken place in me? Healing?

Have I noticed that my "walking" has changed from "crooked" to the 'straight' path for the feet?

The passage (Hebrews 12) begins with me "laying aside the sin that easily besets". It mentions holiness and rebuke then ends with this reminder:

For our God is a consuming fire. - Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭29‬ 

Images

Polling, public perception and the peoples court.

Are politicians interested in popularity because they 

want to help their constituents? Was Jesus really interested 

in the public perception? "And it came to pass, as he was 

alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, 

saying, Whom say the people that I am?" Luke 9:18

How we see ourselves. - Identity

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: 

why shouldest thou destroy thyself? Ecclesiastes 7:16

Because of the kindness that God has shown me, I ask you not 

to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, 

your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on 

what God has given each of you as believers. Romans 12:3

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves 

before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is 

highly esteemed among men is abomination 

in the sight of God. Luke 16:15

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; 

but the LORD weigheth the spirits Proverbs 16:2

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, 

but whom the Lord commendeth. 2 Corinthians 10:18

How we see others. - Comparative studies

For example, two men come to your worship service. One man is 

wearing gold rings and fine clothes; the other man, who is poor, 

is wearing shabby clothes. Suppose you give special attention 

to the man wearing fine clothes and say to him, "Please have a 

seat." But you say to the poor man, "Stand over there," or "Sit 

on the floor at my feet." Aren't you discriminating against 

people and using a corrupt standard to make judgments? James 2:2

How others see us. - The Peoples Court?

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, 

or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: 

for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on 

the outward appearance, but the LORD 

looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy 

come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, 

and by him actions are weighed. 1 Samuel 2:3

The Final Verdict

For God shall bring every work into judgment, 

with every secret thing, whether it be good, 

or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14

PS: I will miss my friend Mrs Doubtfire

"Help is on the way dear!"

SIN

UNFULFILLED? - does sin really matter?

going off the path? - hamartano

not going far enough? - hustereo

going beyond where you should stop? - parabasis

catharsis means purification; 

akatharsia is pollution. 

It means being made dirty.

THE SOLUTION

Game

its not a game

. . . anyway, these are the rules:

PLEASE ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

where did you come from?

where are you?

why are you here?

where are you going?

so, I guess by now you have noticed that you have it

you may or may not have figured out what it is but you have life!

you have only one basic freedom

that is, to choose, every time what you will believe.

everyone starts by being "given" some beliefs.

usually by a parent. some get a little other get a lot.

like the one and two and five talent story told by Jesus.

no one gets the "full picture" we ALL have to find the

pieces of the puzzle in order to get the big picture.

IN THE BEGINNING - GOD

some people get the first question answered pretty quickly.

"For the invisible things of him from the creation

of the world are clearly seen, being understood

by the things that are made." Romans 1:19

not rocket science right?

like most kids I couldn't help noticing the sky - it was everywhere!

so I guess I must have asked about it. I don't remember if I asked

first or parents told me that God made it. I was not born a skeptic

so I must have CHOSE to exercise my one basic freedom at an early age.

then I grew older and went to school and was told about science

they told me that science meant to know. and that I could "know stuff"

by observation

THE QUESTIONS begin when we see the physical world around us.

someone pointed me to the bible

you may not be able to figure it out

but the answers are ALL there.

Humbled

EXCELLENCE and

"The peril of perfection".

THE MAC DAVIS PROBLEM: "Lord it's so hard to be humble when we are 'perfect' in so many ways". 

OR Why some Baptists are 

wary of "Osteenism".

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5 KJV)

SO . . . is humility " a sign 

of weak character?"

To be humble is to accept one's fundamental lowliness and powerlessness, one's inadequacy and dependency, and the fact of one's ultimate origins in the earth, the humus. From dust we came, and to dust we shall return . . . but

NOT IN THE AGE OF

"The American Idol"! . . .

according 

to Wilfred M. McClay:

the mighty god of "self-esteem" has been elevated to power and permitted to reign unchallenged.

There is obvious value in courage,

confidence, dignity and self-esteem

are prime character attributes 

that are encouraged for success

in the world. Then we hear of the virtue of humility but what value is there in humility?

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:10 KJV)

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 14:11 KJV)

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:3 KJV)

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (Galatians 6:3 KJV)

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26 KJV)

Notice what St Paul mentions twice:

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV)

Let us, Seeing Death as the ultimate humiliation, pray like David in Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days" & to apply ourselves wisely.

Sent from my iPhone

Gates and Buffett

I've always admired Gates

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Business_@_the_Speed_of_Thought_(book_cover).jpg

HUMAN NATURE:

"It doesn't matter if you have a perfect product, production plan, and marketing pitch; you'll still need the right people to lead and implement those plans." - GATES

BUFFETT : "buys great businesses run by wonderful managers and then gets out of the way."

http://bit.ly/1mcKtVc

war or sport

A PERSECUTION COMPLEX

"I am aware, it  is a thing of which many know nothing.  Talk to them about it, and they are ready to set you down as a madman, an enthusiast, or a fool." - J.C. Ryle asked back in the 19th century 

"are you fighting?"  http://bit.ly/1qTNZtI

Is The bible a study 

in human struggle?

Time after time from Genesis onward there seems to be a steady stream of stories depicting human conflict. Saint Paul  stated: "we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." Romans 8:22

. . . so, what is the true  NATURE OF CONFLICT and where did 'the peace 

and harmony go?

. . . more fun and games? Is this just 'normal' COMPETITIVENESS  or the real shadow of wars? > "The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law". Luke 12:53 

more from Ryle :

"there is another warfare of far greater importance than any war that was ever waged by man.  It is a warfare which concerns not two or three nations only, but every Christian man and woman born into the world.  The warfare I speak of is the spiritual warfare.  It is the fight which every one who would be saved must fight about his soul." 

Does all conflict involve deception?

. . . "Be not deceived"; Chuck Mcknight commenting on Galatians 6:7-8 says concerning SOWING TO THE FLESH that some people

"Even if not committing blatant acts of sin, they live in a state of apathy, not seeking the Spirit's leading to produce in them good works. "

http://bit.ly/W8n1n2

so, AM I FIGHTING THIS FIGHT?

"it is as real and true as any war the world has ever seen.  It has its hand-to-hand conflicts and its wounds.  It has his watchings and fatigues.  It has its sieges and assaults.  It has its victories and its defeats.  Above all, it has consequences which are awful".

SAINT PAUL: from 2 Corinthians 11

"In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."

SO, is this still true ?

. . . all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

 2 Timothy 3

What some "unbelievers" say:

they 'feel persecuted or "oppressed" whenever they find someone that doesn't share their particular worldview" http://bit.ly/W8t5w3

Was this just for the 

disciples back then?

"The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. "  St John 15 

He was born July 17, 1674

Isaac Watts was asking 

"Am I a Soldier of the Cross?"

His father was not a member of the state church, and was twice thrown into jail for opposing it, so that when he was a baby his mother often carried him in her arms to visit his father in prison.

http://bit.ly/1y9uvDF

This is what he said in poetry:

Am I a soldier of the cross,

   A follower of the Lamb?

And shall I fear to own His cause

   Or blush to speak His name?

Must I be carried to the skies

   On flowery beds of ease?

While others fought to win the prize,

   And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?

   Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vile world a friend to grace,

   To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight, if I would reign

   Increase my courage, Lord!

I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,

   Supported by Thy word.

Thy saints, in all this glorious war,

   Shall conquer, though they die;

They view the triumph from afar,

   And seize it with their eye.

When that illustrious day shall rise,

   And all Thy armies shine

In robes of victory through the skies,

   The glory shall be Thine.

_______________

Are You Fighting? 

J. C. Ryle

(1816-1900)

PS

	Paul Chappell (@PaulChappell)
7/12/14, 5:14 PM "What our Lord said about cross-bearing and obedience is not in fine type. It is in bold print on the face of the contract."